Publicis Groupe Acquires AR New York

The full-service ad agency will become a part of Publicis Worldwide, the communications group’s advertising network.

AR’S NEW PARENT: Publicis Groupe, the third largest communications group in the world, has fully acquired AR New York, a full-service ad agency founded in 1996 by Raul Martinez and Alex Gonzalez. The purchase price wasn’t disclosed. AR New York will become part of Publicis Worldwide, the group’s advertising network. Among AR New York’s current roster of clients are Banana Republic, Brioni, Smartwater and Jimmy Choo. The agency, which employs about 60 people, will continue to operate autonomously under the direction of Martinez, chief creative officer, and Dianne DesRoches, chief executive officer, who report to Jean-Yves Naouri, chief operating officer of Publicis Groupe and executive chairman of Publicis Worldwide. AR New York will remain based at 601 West 26th Street.

“In addition to the prestige, being connected to Paris was a fantastic element,” said Martinez, who said his clients have been asking for global capabilities. He believes that by leveraging Publicis’ global reach and resources, they can better meet the needs of their global clients.

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